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The sixth-generation Chevy Camaro V-8 is a sensation. I\u2019ve flogged it from New Mexico to Phoenix to Death Valley and Metro Detroit, and shouted its praises along the way (if you can hear me over the 455-horse, 6.2-liter mill\u2019s roar). Built on GM\u2019s nimble Alpha platform \u2013 shared by the athletic Cadillac ATS \u2013 it has transformed the muscle car into a true sports coupe that bears comparison to more exotic performance coupes like the Cadillac ATS-V and BMW M4. Among its many rewards is Detroit News Vehicle of the Year and Motor Trend Car of the Year.<\/p>\n
But wait, there\u2019s more. There are two other engines available in the Camaro: a 3.6-liter V-6 and, for the first time, a base 2.0-liter, turbo four-cylinder.<\/p>\n
Under pressure from government nannies to improve gas mileage \u2013 but also intrigued by the possibilities of mating a forced-induction four-banger with the lightweight (just 3,339 pounds!) Alpha chassis \u2013 Chevy is determined to show that a \u201cfour-hole muscle car\u201d is not an oxymoron.<\/p>\n
Last month, I finally got a chance to answer the question for myself. Does the four-cylinder belong in the Camaro? In a word: no.<\/p>\n
Compared to the Camaro SS\u2019s mighty V-8 roar, the 275-horsepower 4-banger offers a whimper. Both cars have the same wicked, angled look after all. Revving the four is like watching King Kong open his mouth \u2013 and hearing Jennifer Tilly\u2019s voice out.<\/p>\n
Good lord, has the poor monster been neutered?<\/em><\/p>\n Four-bangers belong in boxy hot hatches, not muscle cars. The good news is that the Camaro\u2019s six is a glorious symphony. Which is what you want in your sleek, $39,000 coupe because the competition is the boxy, $39,000 hot hatch at the stoplight next to you.<\/p>\n The under-$40k performance segment is a boiling piranha tank of competition these days with some of the most capable bargains on the planet: Rear-wheel drive Mustangs and Challenger R\/Ts. The all-wheel drive hatchback Ford RS, VW Golf R and Subaru WRX STI. Forget your $70k Porsche Caymans and Corvette C6s \u2013 mid-priced performance machines are Tasmanian devils by day, yet remarkably refined at night when you need to impress your date.<\/p>\n Mind you, the base Chevy turbo-four still shows off the Camaro\u2019s capable chassis. In a series of hot laps around Spring Mountain Raceway outside Vegas, the coupe was noticeably more capable than its Gen 5 predecessor and a new Mustang V-6. Though the new Mustang\u2019s brakes and acceleration are excellent, its chassis engineering can\u2019t hold a candle to Alpha. It just ain\u2019t fair to outfit a pony car with a luxury-class sports chassis. What is Mustang supposed to do? Build its next generation around the Ford GT supercar\u2019s carbon-fiber tub?<\/p>\n But against demonic AWD track hounds like the Subaru STI, Camaro\u2019s gotta bring more to the knife fight than a four-banger. Here\u2019s my recommended shopping list from GM\u2019s weapons depot:<\/p>\n 1. 335-horsepower V-6 mated to 8-speed transmission ($2,900).<\/p>\n 2. RS package: 20-inch wheels with run-flat tires, rear spoiler ($1,950).<\/p>\n 3. Dual-mode exhaust ($895).<\/p>\n With the eight-speed automatic transmission, I almost forgot how much I prefer sticks. Stomp the accelerator when the light turns green and the 335 ponies under the hood roar, the eight-speed tranny barking with each quick upshift. Throw out the anchor into a turn and the transmission mimics manual \u2013 rev-matching each downshift as if invisible race booties are heel-and-toeing an invisible clutch pedal. It\u2019s addicting. The automatic matches my experience in Camaro\u2019s big brother Corvette C6 which also sports a superior auto transmission to its meaty, seven-speed manual box in which \u2013 with its three gates \u2013 you can easily lose your way like a kid in an amusement park maze.<\/p>\n